I noticed an odor in the storage compartment for a couple of years that seemed to come from the black water tank but I couldn't see any sign of a leak. Once, while winterizing, I pushed some compressed air through the flushing port to clear the hose of water and I smelled the foul odor again in the compartment. I thought that the air would escape up the roof vent and I shouldn't smell it.
This year I added a support under the black tank to keep it from excessive sagging. To test the support I filled the tank with water and it leaked from the top out of sight. Normally when you fill the tank to capacity it will push the excess fluid into the vent system and plumbing above the tank. If it is sealed properly it shouldn't leak. I wasn't sure if it was a crack, puncture from a screw or leaky plumbing.
Since I couldn't see where the leak was coming from I removed the black tank and tested it out of the trailer. The leak was coming from the vent stack where it screwed into the top of the tank. The putty on the threads of the 1 1/2" adaptor screwed into the tank top was not sealing properly and allowed a small amount of water and air to pass through.
I'm in the process now to reseal the tank using new adaptors and teflon paste before reinstalling it.
Because of this experience, I would suggest that people empty the black water tanks before they are completely filled to capacity (or risk some unexpected leaking).
This year I added a support under the black tank to keep it from excessive sagging. To test the support I filled the tank with water and it leaked from the top out of sight. Normally when you fill the tank to capacity it will push the excess fluid into the vent system and plumbing above the tank. If it is sealed properly it shouldn't leak. I wasn't sure if it was a crack, puncture from a screw or leaky plumbing.
Since I couldn't see where the leak was coming from I removed the black tank and tested it out of the trailer. The leak was coming from the vent stack where it screwed into the top of the tank. The putty on the threads of the 1 1/2" adaptor screwed into the tank top was not sealing properly and allowed a small amount of water and air to pass through.
I'm in the process now to reseal the tank using new adaptors and teflon paste before reinstalling it.
Because of this experience, I would suggest that people empty the black water tanks before they are completely filled to capacity (or risk some unexpected leaking).